A Lesson Learned from Pittsburgh EMS

Thanks to the generosity of Pittsburgh EMS, I enjoyed a memorable day riding along with the crew of “Medic 4” as they worked another busy shift on the North Side.

My goal was to develop a better understanding of front-country emergency medicine.  Despite my experience in wilderness medicine courses over the years, I wanted the chance to see the front lines of medical care and to see some of the best medics around in action.  Crew Chief Jim Sabo and his paramedics, J.D. and Dalbey did not disappoint.  Not only did they provide great medical care to all of their patients, but they were wonderfully caring and patient too.

I learned much today, but one lesson in particular stands out.  While protocols and procedures are certainly important in providing quality emergency medical care, so is the ability to remain flexible and adaptable to whatever the particular set of circumstances happens to be.  So, no matter if one is taking care of a patient in a bustling metropolis just minutes from a hospital, or somewhere in the backcountry hours or even days from one, being a good “problem solver” is the cornerstone of providing good medical care.